James "Jim" Arthur Duquette

Duke was born on March 14, 1941 in Schenectady, New York to Arthur James and Janet Elizabeth Duquette. He was a student of Christian Brothers Academy and graduated from Linton High School. He enlisted in the Air Force in January 1961, stationed in Altus, Oklahoma where he met his wife, Brenda Burch. They met on a blind date at the Oklahoma State Fair and married just three months later.

He was active duty for over 21 years and traveled the world with his wife and two daughters, Carrie and Lori, having been stationed in Japan, Hawaii, California, and New Jersey. Notably, he was a crew member of the "Catch the Falling Star" test group based out of Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He had a deep passion and superhuman knowledge about anything with wheels or wings. He restored and owned a number of classic cars in his lifetime, including a 1940 Ford Coupe, 1930 Ford Model A, his beloved 1989 Chevrolet

Silverado, and countless others.

Duke's most proud achievements, though, were not his own, but those of his family. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Brenda Duquette, their two daughters, Carrie (Charlie) Newnam and Lori (Stephen) Rakonza, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, four nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Roderick Duquette.

He will be buried with his ribbons at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Midwest City, Oklahoma on Friday, October 27, 2023 with full military honors.